About Surah Qaf

Named for the single letter opening its text, this Makkan chapter is also called Sūrat al-Bāsiqāt, referencing its mention of tall date-palms. Arriving 34th in revelation, between al-Mursalāt and al-Balad, its 45 verses confront those who considered life after death impossible. The Prophet (ﷺ) routinely recited its proofs during Fajr, Eid, and Friday sermons.

The text opens with an oath by the majestic Quran before sweeping outward to the heavens, the earth, and the revival of dead land by rain. It then turns inward to affirm Allah’s absolute knowledge over the human soul's secrets. After citing the ruin of past nations like Thamūd and Lūṭ’s people, the sequence enters the Day of Reckoning, where hidden deeds are exposed and judged.

The closing arguments anchor these warnings in divine endurance, explicitly refuting the notion that Allah rested after six days of creation. The passage then settles into quiet consolation, directing the Prophet (ﷺ) to remain patient and use the Quran to remind those who fear the final promise.

Surah 50 of 114Makkan

Qaf

ق The Letter "Qaf"

Verses: 45
Revelation: Makkan
Juz: 26
Pages: 518–520

Surah Info Reflections Layers

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

Qaf By the glorious Quran!

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

But the disbelievers are amazed that a warner has come from among them and they say, ‘How strange!

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

To come back [to life] after we have died and become dust? That is too farfetched.’

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

We know very well what the earth takes away from them: We keep a comprehensive record.

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

But the disbelievers deny the truth when it comes to them; they are in a state of confusion.

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

Do they not see the sky above them––how We have built and adorned it, with no rifts in it;

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

how We spread out the earth and put solid mountains on it, and caused every kind of joyous plant to grow in it,

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

as a lesson and reminder for every servant who turns to God;

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

and how We send blessed water down from the sky and grow with it gardens, the harvest grain,

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

and tall palm trees laden with clusters of dates,

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

as a provision for everyone; how with water We give [new] life to a land that is dead? This is how the dead will emerge [from their graves].

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

The people of Noah disbelieved long before these disbelievers, as did the people of Rass, Thamud,

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

Ad, Pharaoh, and the brothers of Lot,

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

the Forest-Dwellers, Tubba: all of these people disbelieved their messengers, and so My warning was realized.

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

So were We incapable of the first creation? No indeed! Yet they doubt a second creation.

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

We created man––We know what his soul whispers to him: We are closer to him than his jugular vein––

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

with two receptors set to record, one on his right side and one on his left:

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

he does not utter a single word without an ever-present watcher.

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

The trance of death will bring the Truth with it: ‘This is what you tried to escape.’

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

The Trumpet will be sounded: ‘This is the Day [you were] warned of.’

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

Each person will arrive attended by an [angel] to drive him on and another to bear witness:

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

‘You paid no attention to this [Day]; but today We have removed your veil and your sight is sharp.’

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

The person’s attendant will say, ‘Here is what I have prepared’-

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‘Hurl every obstinate disbeliever into Hell,

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

everyone who hindered good, was aggressive, caused others to doubt,

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and set up other gods alongside God. Hurl him into severe punishment!’-

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

and his [evil] companion will say, ‘Lord, I did not make him transgress; he had already gone far astray himself.’

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

God will say, ‘Do not argue in My presence. I sent you a warning

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

and My word cannot be changed: I am not unjust to any creature.’

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

We shall say to Hell on that day, ‘Are you full?’ and it will reply, ‘Are there no more?’

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

But Paradise will be brought close to the righteous and will no longer be distant:

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

‘This is what you were promised––this is for everyone who turned often to God and kept Him in mind,

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

who held the Most Gracious in awe, though He is unseen, who comes before Him with a heart turned to Him in devotion-

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so enter it in peace. This is the Day of everlasting Life.’

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

They will have all that they wish for there, and We have more for them.

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

We have destroyed even mightier generations before these disbelievers, who travelled through [many] lands- was there any escape?

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

There truly is a reminder in this for whoever has a heart, whoever listens attentively.

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

We created the heavens, the earth, and everything between, in six Days without tiring.

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

So [Prophet], bear everything they say with patience; celebrate the praise of your Lord before the rising and setting of the sun;

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

proclaim His praise in the night and at the end of every prayer;

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

listen out for the Day when the caller will call from a nearby place.

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

They will come out [from their graves] on that Day, the Day when they hear the mighty blast in reality.

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

It is We who give life and death; the final return will be to Us

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

on the Day when the earth will be torn apart, letting them rush out- that gathering will be easy for Us.

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

We know best what the disbelievers say. You [Prophet] are not there to force them, so remind, with this Quran, those who fear My warning.

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

End of Qaf

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